00:00Alright, so sun setting here at the Circuit of Sevilla for the world debut press launch of this 2025 Ducati Pentagalli V2.
00:11Today we spent our time riding on the S version. There's two versions as you know, a standard and then this bike here is the S.
00:20It comes in at $19,000, $3,000 more than the standard version, but what you get is an upgraded suspension, high quality Olin spork and shock.
00:29Also, just a little less weight. It's one of those deals where you can save a little money and go with the Marzocchi fork and KYB shock and probably be plenty happy.
00:41Most of us enthusiasts always would wonder, what am I missing out on? So, you know, it's a tough call.
00:48I'd say you can't go wrong with either bike, but with this S model, you're going to know that you've got race spec suspension that just gives you that little bit more chassis feedback.
00:58So today, out on this circuit, it was a good layout for shaking down a bike such as this, you know, middleweight category bike that's built to be agile.
01:09That's one of the main themes on this revision on the V2. They've shed a significant amount of weight from its predecessor.
01:17A good bit of that comes from the new engine, which is just lighter and more compact in a huge way.
01:23With that comes less peak horsepower, though, which is not a bad thing when you look at the big picture.
01:29This bike, its predecessor, has been racing in World Supersport competition. It's won the last two years.
01:36It actually really impressed me in 2024, the Ducati Panigale V2 in the hands of Davey Todd.
01:45Went to the Isle of Man TT and in its debut there, podium twice that week in the Supersport class.
01:52Michael Dunlop was on fire. There was nobody going to beat that man's, you know, chase for history with TT wins.
02:01But the Ducati V2, first time we've seen a Ducati on a podium at the TT in decades, I'd have to say.
02:11It's just you don't see them there. You don't hear them coming through the threes on the way to Ramsey.
02:17So really, really excited to see it succeed there and look forward to the future.
02:23With this new version of the V2, lighter, less power output, it won't be running in that Supersport category restricted.
02:32And that's the big thing. They try to reach parity in this category these days with the different bikes.
02:39Inline fours, 600cc, let's say. You got your triples. Triumph's been in there for a while.
02:46Ducati's been in there the past few years, but having to limit the peak output for parity.
02:54So what I think's going to happen, this bike, there's probably going to be maybe no limit whatsoever on its engine potential.
03:01And then you also gain the agility of this new platform, just being more compact engine, lighter weight.
03:09And I experienced that today out on this track. We were running Pirelli Slicks, a soft compound slick that they run in World Supersport.
03:18This thing cornered like a cat on carpet. You could just learn into track that none of us knew.
03:24And it's got quite a few blind crest rises. Certain sections kind of look familiar or similar to another section until you get it under your hat.
03:31Bumps you're trying to avoid in areas and whatnot. This bike made mid-corner line adjustments came with ease.
03:40Trying to do the same thing on, let's say, a V4 Pentagoli would have been a workout.
03:45And perhaps even the V2 predecessor. So that was something that I noted right away.
03:51Getting up to speed. It's been a long spell since I was last on a racetrack.
03:55And I expected to suffer from arm pump after the first session of the day.
04:00With this bike, the riding position's a little more relaxed. They've raised the bar slightly from its predecessor.
04:06Puts you up here close enough to the bars. Good leg room.
04:10And it made a difference. You know, six sessions and I'm not totally whipped.
04:14So that's something to say for a man that's 63 years old.
04:17I think the owners are going to really appreciate that aspect.
04:21They've made it a more, you know, accessible, rider-friendly package.
04:25It's going to translate to the street exceptionally well in that regard.
04:30Several riding modes. You know, wet street, road, race and track.
04:38And you can customize these modes with different power maps, throttle response, wheelie control, traction control, engine brake control.
04:46Cornering ABS and adjustments in all these parameters.
04:51It's a new dash. TFT dash and button arrangement on the hand grip.
04:56It allows you to navigate these menus and work through, you know, those options with pretty good ease.
05:02I played around with it, you know, here in the pits today.
05:05You know, it's pretty intuitive. So I think people are going to appreciate the efforts made there.
05:10I think Ducati's, you know, forging ahead into the future.
05:14This modern middleweight super sport category for track and street is just becoming very interesting.
05:21And this bike is just a natural evolution into that, you know, where that category is going.
05:29So it's kind of strange to see a manufacturer reduce power output with an updated model.
05:36And you have to say, what the heck's up with that?
05:39But they are fighting Euro 5 plus emissions and that's something they have to plan for moving forward.
05:45Probably expect to see this V-Twin in multiple configurations in terms of bike platforms.
05:52Obviously a naked version of the Panigale V2.
05:55And we'll see what else we end up with moving down the road.
05:59So good stuff. Looking forward to Cycleworld getting their hands on a production unit to test back home.
06:07Put it through its paces. You know, comparison test against some of the other players in the category.
06:13Road and track in depth. Today was just strictly track. Just a brief impression of what's to come.
06:20So anyhow, hope you enjoyed a ride today here in Sevilla, Spain.
06:24We got lucky. It doesn't always rain in the plain in Spain.
06:28So, take care.
06:37Transcribed by ESO. Translated by —
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